"PAUL LARSH - Founder of the Larsh Family in America
"In the 1750's, Paul Larsh was living in Canada when he decided to become a
trader among the Indians. So providing himself with appropriate merchandize,
he headed south into the Ohio valley. He set up shop near Zenia, Ohio and
traded for furs with a Shawnee Indian tribe that was located near Zenia. He
spent two or three years at that location and anglicized his name from L'arche to
Larsh.
"His background is clouded, because no definite proof has been found. Some
of the old obituaries of his grandchildren say that he along with a sister and
a brother, came from Strasburg, France in 1745. However, Hazel Lewis of
Danville, IL in her extensive research, believes that he was originally a
L'Archeveque who came to Canada in the early 1640's. Maybe someday we will find out
for sure.
"To continue the adventures of Paul Larsh, it so happened that the Shawnee
Indians had made a raid on a settlement near Fort Dinwiddie in Pennsylvania in
September, 1756. The home of George Kincaid was one of the homes that was
raided. George was killed and the wife, Elizabeth and three children were
brought back to their camp. (Two children, Samuel and William, were away from home
at the time and thus were saved.) Elizabeth was the daughter of William and
Sarah (Campbell) Dean of New York. Two of the three captured children were
eventually killed. The other was found years later but his name has not shown
up in any record.
"Paul abandoning his goods, rescued Elizabeth by carrying her on his back
the two miles to his boat. He then paddled down the little Miami and the Ohio
Rivers and up the Mississippi to the French settlement of Kaskaskia. On June
19, 1759 they were married in the Church of St. Ann at Fort Chartres.
"They resided there several years, and a son Charles was born. The family
evidently turned to farming as Paul reportedly had "400 acres in the bottoms".
They eventually moved back to Fayette Co. Pennsylvania. In 1790 a daughter,
Hannah was born. Paul had either bought or settled on a farm near Uniontown,
Pa. He died there on June 14, 1794. It is not known where he is buried, but
his daughter Hannah was buried in Smithfield Cemetery.
"Charles Larsh married Sarah Van Swearingen, the daughter of John and
Catherine (Stull) Van Swearingen. They, first, moved down the Ohio River to
Maysville, KY., and then settled near Lexington, Ky. for many years. They later
moved back to the Ohio River near the present site of Manchester, Oh. where he
and some of his sons were employed in making flat-boats for floating down the
Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. They also ran a ferry across the Ohio River near
there. Most of his children eventually settled in Preble Co., Ohio. It is not
known where he died, but one report has him living in Preble Co. with one of
his children when he died. Incidentally, his wife, Sarah was a sister of
Marmaduke Van Swearingen, who was captured at an early age and later became the
great Chief Bluejacket."
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of Paul Larsh, Fayette County Pennsylvania Will Book
1, Pg.26-7
(Source K55)
"In the name of God Amen. I Paul Larsh of the County of Fayette in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, being of sound mind and memory, thanks be to God,
calling to mind the mortallity of all flesh and that it is appointed for all to
die do on this seventeenth day of November in the year of our Lord, one
thousand seven hundred and ninety-two, publish, this my last will and testament
in the way and manner following.
First and principally, I recommend my Soul to God that gave it and my body
to the dust, nothing doubting but that I shall receive the same again at the
general Resurriction of all flesh according to the mighty power of God and as
touching my temporal estate with which it has pleased God to bless me with, I
will and bequeath it in the way and manner following after funeral expenses
is paid. I allow all my just debts to be paid. Also I will and bequeath to my
well beloved wife Elizabeth, her wearing apperial, her choice of all my beds
and furniture, her saddle and bridle, three cows to be chose likewise by
herself, all the stock of sheep, a set of teaware, six pewter plates, two Basons
and two potts, the one third of the land on which I now live, during her
widowhood which must include the house I now live in and fifty acres of clear
land adjoining thereto and privilege of firewood and necessary timber from any
part of said plantation.
2nd. I bequeath to my son Charles Larsh, the one third of said plantation,
my wearing apperel, a large house Bible, and a Rifle given to him and his
heirs forever.
3rdly, I bequeath to my daughter Hannah one third of the foresaid plantation
to her and heirs forever. And it is my will and request that the residue of
my moveable estate to be sold by my Executors hereinafter named at Vendue and
the sum ariseing from said Sail together with what may be indue me be
equally divided between my wife and children, Charles and Hannah which Third part
of my land I now live on & of my personal Estate by this will bequeathed to my
wife shall be in liew of her dower and after the marriage or death of my
wife, Elizabeth, I will and bequeath to my children the land I bequeathed to her
to be equally divided them. My said children and their heirs forever and
should the almighty God Bless me with more children, it is my will that they be
made equal sherers of my estate not withstanding the former bequeathments and
it is my further will and testament that my well beloved wife Elizabeth and
my beloved son Charles Larsh and my worthy friend Isaac Griffin to be the
whole and sole Executor of this, my last will and Testament herby revoking and
renouncing of former wills, gifts and Legacies. Confirming this and no other
to be my Last will and testament in testemony when of I have herunto set my
hand and seal this seventeenth day of November in the year of our Lord one
thousand seven hundred and ninety two.
Paul Larsh {his mark} Seal
Signed, Sealed and declared by the said Paul Larsh as his last will and
Testament in the presence of us. The words "which third part of my land I now
live on and of my personal Estate by this will bequeathed to my wife shall be in
lieu of dower" inserted before signing and Sealing between the words Hannah
& "and" in the third line of this page.
Signed and Sealed in presence of
Albert Gallatin
Thos. Clare
Samuel Hyde
James Hughes
More About PAUL LARSH:
Probate: April 13, 1794, Fayette County, Pennsylvania16
Will: November 17, 1792, Written and signed16